Being a goalkeeper may be the trickiest position on a football pitch, but in the Premier League, there’s nowhere to hide.

Whether you’re gunning for the title or hoping to stay up by the skin of your teeth, a top shot-stopper can make all the difference come the end of the season.

This year has once again highlighted the best and worst of those between the sticks, with Manchester City’s move for Gianluigi Donnarumma proving to be an eye-catching transfer.

Ranking factors

To help place every No 1 in the correct order from best to worst, we have considered the following criteria:

• Current form – how well they have played over the last few months
• Club – whether their performances meet the required standards of their team
• Reliability – how trusted they can be to avoid errors
• Overperformance – whether they can make saves they would not be expected to

12

20-16

Martin Dubravka, Jose Sa, Alphonse Areola, Lucas Perri, Robert Sanchez

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Martin Dubravka swapped Newcastle for Burnley in 2025, but at the age of 36, appears to be edging towards the end of his career.

New Leeds United signing Lucas Perri also makes up the bottom five, alongside now Premier League regulars in Wolves’ Jose Sa, West Ham’s Alphonse Areola and Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez.

11

15-11

Caoimhin Kelleher, Bart Verbruggen, Senne Lammens, Djordje Petrovic, Guglielmo Vicario

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Caoimhin Kelleher is now a first choice Premier League goalkeeper with Brentford after leaving Liverpool in the summer, whereas Djordje Petrovic also found a new home in England after swapping Chelsea for Bournemouth.

Man Utd are hoping Senne Lammens will be the answer to their recent goalkeeping woes at Old Trafford, and at Brighton and Tottenham, Bart Verbruggen and Guglielmo Vicario are into their third seasons in the Premier League.

10

Bernd Leno

Fulham

You’d be forgiven for thinking that Bernd Leno’s move from Arsenal to Fulham was a sign of a goalkeeper in decline, but the German has more than played his part in a Cottagers side that have become an established Premier League side.

At just £8m, it has provem to be a shrewd piece of business.

9

Robin Roefs

Sunderland

Robin Roefs cost Sunderland around £9m following their return to the Premier League, and after replacing Anthony Patterson as first choice at the Stadium of Light, made an excellent start in England.

Should he continue his form, the 22-year-old’s value will only increase, and he could have a big part to play in the Black Cats’ attempts to remain in the top flight.

8

Nick Pope

Newcastle

Nick Pope’s season last time out was affected by injury, but he has still proved himself as a solid goalkeeper for Newcastle United.

Now a Wembley winner following Carabao Cup success, the former Burnley shot-stopper has formed part of an impressive Toon outfit that looks primed to secure Champions League football.

While perhaps past his best, Pope remains a goalkeeper who seems at home in the Premier League, though compared to his counterparts, middle of the pack feels about right.

7

Dean Henderson

Crystal Palace

Dean Henderson is by no means the best goalkeeper in the Premier League, but he has finally found a home at Crystal Palace, where he is now flourishing following his exit from Manchester United.

Henderson has marshalled a relatively tight defence and helped the Eagles win the FA Cup and Community Shield.

6

Matz Sels

Nottingham Forest

Matz Sels has been a delight for Nottingham Forest, epitomising his team’s role as the division’s surprise package by becoming one of the Reds’ most important players.

He also received the Golden Glove award alongside Arsenal’s David Raya after keeping 13 clean sheets in 24/25. Simply put, Forest wouldn’t rather have anyone else in goal than the Belgian.

5

Jordan Pickford

Everton

Jordan Pickford has been Everton and England’s number one for some time now, and he has continued to shine following David Moyes’ return to Merseyside.

His highlights last season included shutouts against Arsenal and Chelsea, while his status as the undisputed Three Lions No 1 has to count for something.

4

Emiliano Martinez

Aston Villa

A Yashin Trophy winner, it’s difficult to criticise Emiliano Martinez too much, as for all of his wind-up antics and dodgy dancing, the Argentinian has continued to be a useful blockade in front of the Aston Villa goal.

Now highly experienced following his exploits on the international stage and in the Champions League, Martinez has matured – loosely speaking – into one of the top goalkeepers in the world.

3

David Raya

Arsenal

David Raya has arguably been one of Arsenal’s most consistent players in recent seasons. The Spaniard totally vindicated Mikel Arteta’s decision to install him as the Gunners No 1 last season, and has continued to shine in goal at the Emirates Stadium, excelling at the top level.

He comfortably sits in the top three and has been rewarded with a new Arsenal contract in 2025.